Tigers No. 3, Gamecocks Plummet

Clemson University’s football team climbed to No. 3 in the nation, according to the sportswriters – while the University of South Carolina tumbled out of the Top Ten in both major polls after getting thumped by Georgia.

South Carolina – which was ranked No. 6 in the nation a week ago – fell to No. 13 in the Associated Press poll and No. 14 in the coaches’ poll. The embarrassing defensive effort put forth by the Gamecocks (1-1, 0-1 SEC) enabled Georgia (1-1, 1-0 SEC) to climb back into the Top Ten – where it joined fellow SEC powerhouses Alabama (No. 1 in both polls), Texas A&M (No. 6 in both polls) and LSU (No. 8 in both polls).

Both Texas and Southern Cal were bounced from the AP after losses to Brigham Young and Washington State, respectively, while SEC East powerhouse Florida fell from No. 12 to No. 18 in the AP poll (and from No. 9 to No. 20 in the coaches’ poll) after losing to in-state rival Miami.

The Hurricanes? They broke into the AP Top 25 for the first time in three years – clocking in at No. 15. In the coaches’ poll they climbed six spots from No. 24 to No. 18.